No sex on Blogger please, we're Google

Blogger users risk having their blogs removed from public listings if they feature graphic nudity or explicit content. Starting on March 23, any Blogger blog found to contain offending pictures or videos will be converted into a private blog that can only be seen by the owner and those, erm, explicitly invited to see it.

Google emphasizes that no content will be deleted from blogs created before March 23, 2015, but is encouraging blog owners to take action. It's a different story for any blog set up after this date.

Any new blog that is found to house sexually explicit or graphic nude images or video runs the risk of being removed by Google. There is also the threat of unspecified "other action" for sites that violate Blogger Content Policy by hosting adult content, linking to commercial pornography sites, features child abuse imagery or encourage pedophilia.

In the Blogger help pages, Google explains that there could be exceptions to the rule:

We'll still allow nudity if the content offers a substantial public benefit, for example in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts.

It is not made clear exactly what would constitute 'substantial public benefit', but there will be plenty of bloggers waiting in line to test the boundaries of what is acceptable.

Photo credit: Mingman / Shutterstock